The AN/ WSC-6( V) shipboard terminal is designed for use on surface ships to satisfy the Navy SHF ship-to-shore communications requirements while remaining within the cost, weight, and size constraints of the shipboard environment. The AN/ WSC-6( V) consists of the radio group and the antenna group. The antenna group is configured in a single or dual configuration to give 360 degrees of antenna
coverage.

AN/ WSC-6( V) 2. The AN/ WSC-6( V) 2 is installed aboard numbered fleet flagships and uses the OM-55( V)/ USC spread-spectrum AJ modem and the ComQuest CQM-248A phase-shift keying (PSK) narrowband modem and has one or two 7-foot antennas. The (V) 2 terminal uses an 8-kW transmitter with either the spread-spectrum modem or the narrowband modem or both if an IF patch is used. The (V) 2 can also use a 350-watt TWTA with the narrowband modem in conjunction with the 8-kW Klystron power amplifier with the spread-spectrum modem if the diplexer is used.

AN/ WSC-6( V) 5. The AN/ WSC-6( V) 5 is the shipboard SHF terminal that will replace the (V) 2 and (V) 4 terminals on "big deck" platforms. It will use Versa Module Eurocard (VME) 32-bit bus technology employing circuit card assemblies to replace the antenna
and servo-controllers; the up-, down-, and tracking converters; the local operation control center; and the radio frequency selector. It will provide dual termination capability at the converter to allow connectivity to GMF, and use one or two 7-foot antennas. In addition it will
have redundant (back-up) TWTAs (2kW and 350W). These terminals will use two narrowband modems; one will be the CQM-248A, the second is to be determined.

AN/ WSC-6( V) X. The planned AN/ WSC-6( V) X will provide SHF capability to CG 47, DDG 51, and TOMAHAWK-capable SPRUANCE-class "shooters" as well as well as Combat Logistics Force (CLF) and LPD 17 class ships. The terminal will consist of a single rack of equipment, FDMA modems, and either single or dual 7-foot parabolic antennas.

The US Navy's shipboard SATCOM terminal for use with the Defense Satellite Communication System
(DSCS) X-band space segment is the AN/WSC-6(V). The newest variants of the WSC-6, the (V)7 (7.75-foot
diameter parabolic reflector) and (V)9 (5-foot diameter parabolic reflector) have pre-planned product
improvement (P3I) options to add 30/20 GHz transmit/receive capabilities for the Government K/Ka-band
portion of WGS.

The AN/ WSC-6 terminal variant supports a non-AJ data rate of 64 kbps (threshold) to 1.024 Mbps (objective) for nonflag-capable ships, and a combined non-AJ data rate of 768 kbps (threshold) to 2.048 Mbps (objective) for flag-capable ships. SURTASS terminals support data transmission at 9.6 kbps for shore-to-ship circuits and 144 kbps for ship-to-shore transmission. Terminal variants installed on flagships and flag-capable ships will be capable of supporting jam-resistant communications with the addition of an AJ modem, such as the UMS.

The estimated numbers of SHF terminals to be deployed and to be used for training/ testing are as follows:

Fleet Commander flagships

4

SURTASS platforms

10

Aircraft carriers (CVs/ CVNs)

12

Amphibious force flagships (LHAs/ LHDs)

11

Flag-configured LPDs

2

New construction LPDs

2

TOMAHAWK or AEGIS-capable CGs, DDGs, and DDs

108

Combat logistic force ships (CLF)

13

Mine countermeasure support ships (MCS)

1

SSNs

55

Shore trainers

2 per variant

Testbed terminals

1 per variant

SURTASS trainer

1

AN/ WSC-6 Installation Steps. The AN/ WSC-6 terminal installation will be provided in three evolutionary steps.

Initial operational capability (IOC) for Step 1 was achieved in FY 1997, IOC for Step 2 is scheduled for FY 1998, and full operational capability (FOC) is expected in FY 2006.

FY96 funds procured mod kits and miscellaneous equipment to modify four AN/WSC-6(V)4 terminals to allow dual channel capability. Existing Navy and Army contracts were used. A new production contract will be awarded in FY97 for SHF AN/WSC-6(V)X terminals including non-recurring costs, first article testing and delivery of three units. FY97 funds also procure four seven foot antennas to replace existing four foot antennas and will procure mod kits for installation on 9 AN/WSC-6(V)2 and AN/WSC-6(V)4 terminals. The seven foot antenna procurement is a separate contract; the mod kits are bought on the antenna contract and two existing Army and NRAD contracts. FY98 and FY99 funds procure additional AN/WSC-6(V)X terminals, AN/WSC-6(V)2 and AN/WSC-6(V)4 mod kits, additional seven foot antennas and production support.